Lakers conquer Kings down the stretch

SACRAMENTO — As they have embarked on this season with free of egos and full of effort, the Lakers have become a living example of Forrest Gump’s take on a box of chocolates.

The Lakers never know what they’re going to get.

Their 106-100 win Friday to the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena reflected timely shots from Pau Gasol, Jodie Meeks and Nick Young while forcing Sacramento to one field goal and three turnovers in the final six minutes. The stretch epitimized how the Lakers have taken a by-committee approach in ensuring something few thought imaginable.

The Lakers (10-9) have a winning record without Kobe Bryant, who announced Friday he will return when the Lakers host the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center after rehabbing his left Achilles tendon for the past eight months.

Meeks capped a team-leading 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting by hitting an open 3-pointer to cut the Kings’ lead to 97-96 with 2:43 remaining. Gasol followed with a 20-foot jumper at the top of the key two minutes later for a 98-97 lead, adding respectability to a 19-point effort on only 6-of-15 shooting. Meeks and Young provided more timely jumpers, while Wesley Johnson provided a timely steal and block.

“It’s been really fun so far,” Gasol said. “The guys give it their all. They don’t think about individual play or individual performances. No one cares about getting more credit. Everybody gives it their best.”

Even when things don’t go as planned.

The Lakers conceded an endless flurry of 3-pointers (9 of 21), open looks for Ben McClemore (20 points on 8-of-17 shooting) and Isaiah Thomas (14 points on 6-of-13 shooting). It also didn’t help the Lakers went on a five-minute stretch midway through the fourth quarter recording one field goal. But in his first start this season at center, Robert Sacre overcame three first-half fouls by posting 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting and making Kings center DeMarcus Cousins work for his 20 points on only a six of 17 clip. D’Antoni then featured Jordan Hill off the bench in hopes shortened playing time would offset his recent fatigue. He responded by posting seven of his nine rebounds in the second half through 14 minutes.

“A lot of teams don’t know how to scout us,” Sacre said. “It’ll make it difficult where teams we can’t lock on one player because another player is doing well. You never know who the guy will be that night.”

The scouting report will soon zero in on Bryant, obviously.

But as the Lakers learned painfully last season, a prolific Bryant can’t solely carry them.

“They don’t need to stand around and watch him play,” D’Antoni said. “We can’t watch and sit around and think he’s a savior. We have to keep competing like we have been.”